| Splitting Hydrogen and Oxygen with Sunlight |
| Written by Jozef Winter | ||
| Tuesday, 25 September 2007 | ||
 With most car companies looking toward fuel cells as a clean energy source, it seems that hydrogen, for better or worse, will be a key player in our green future. The problem is, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is an energy-intense process and if you are using coal-fired plants to do the work, you are taking 1 step forward and 1 step back. Martin Demuth and his team of
researchers at the Max Planck Institute, however, have other ideas.
They've decided to circumvent using electrical current to split the
water and instead use a semiconductor in a process not unlike
photosynthesis in plants. The semiconductor acts as a photocatalyst,
infusing the water molecule with energy in the presence of sunlight, and voila! Hydrogen and oxygen! The idea has been around for a
while, and some tests have already been conducted; however, this new
semiconductor, made of titanium disilicide, absorbs light energy over a
range of the solar spectrum, making it more efficient. It also has a
unique property in that it will actually capture and store the hydrogen
and oxygen separately, for later siphoning off. This technology could potentially find early adoption by the Navy who has sunlight, water, and
surface area in abundance.
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Via Physorg Image from Dr. Demulth's Website
Comments
(6)
Global Warming prediction exchange is se
written by caveat bettor , September 25, 2007
Navy
written by Ashley L. now F. , September 26, 2007
If adopted by the Navy, any word on what they'd use it for specifically?
Link exchange
written by fhmtech , September 26, 2007
Hi,
I am interested in link exchange with ecogeek.org. My blog is also about the environment. It is www.bdpollution.com. If interested do let me know. Thanking you fhmtech
hydrogen production
written by Steve Nelson , November 08, 2007
The majority of the world's hydrogen production is created using a technique known as "steam reformation". Basically by mixing super heated steam at around 750 degrees F with Methane (CH4) it produces H and CO, then a lower, super heated steam mixing with the carbon monoxide produces a little more H and CO2 output. This can all be done with solar-steam, no coal required.
...
written by Antonio de Jesus Biag Jr. , February 28, 2008
Would the rate of infusion be adequate to cover the expense for electricity and other maintenances?
World Longest sea beach
written by salvi , July 03, 2008
I am under tense about my country which may be under water after 50 years. World will loss longest beach.
So i would like to link exchange with your site to save the natural ecosystem of my country. www.bangladeshtourism.blogspot.com | ||
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